Harikuyo

Harikuyo (Hari Kuyo) is a traditional Japanese memorial service dedicated to needles and pins. It is held in the late January and early February. In the past needles and pins were very valuable to every Japanese woman.

Hari kuyo

During the ritual all broken or bent needles are put into a piece of tofu. When doing so special prayers are recited. At the end of ritual everything is wrapped in a piece of paper and put floating down the river. The most popular Harikuyo rituals are organized in Tokyo at Shojuin Temple and Shinganji Temple and in Asakusa at Sensoji Temple.